Gertrude Marie Schneider

Gertrude Marie Schneider was born October 29, 1927 in the farm house where her mother and father, Anna Marie and Frederick Papenhagen, lived in Juniata, Nebraska. She was the sixth of 7 children, Walter, Mildred, Hugo, Elfrieda, Paula and Florence. She was baptized on December 18,1927. Gertrude lost her mother when she was 13. Her older sister Paula still lived at home and helped care for her and her younger sister, Florence. She attended a one-room school house in Juniata until eighth grade then on to high school. Gertrude was very close to her sister Florence and they talked with each other every day. They seemed to be together all the time and were the best of " friends". Shortly after she graduated in 1946, she met Lee Dolsby. Paula had recently moved to Denver, and Gertrude and Florence soon followed. Lee and Gertrude married November 1948 in Denver where Lee's family lived. Their children Dennis, Linda and Debbie grew up in Denver where the family lived, very near where Bethany Lutheran Church stands today. Every Sunday the family went there to worship. The Church and her family were the most important things in Gertrude's life. She was a homemaker and wonderful, loving mother. Gertrude made certain that her children received a strong religious education and learn the word of God. When her children were teenagers, she went to work as a server for the Red Lobster, where she enjoyed the company of her friends there. Gertrude was a faithful Christian. Bible study, "Circle" meetings, and helping the church were very important in her life. Gertrude was a "Patcher" at Bethany and helped make many quilts for the Lutheran world relief mission. Gertrude was widowed in 1980, and about 3 years later met and married Werner Schneider. Gertrude was very blessed to have this wonderful man in her life and they traveled many times to Germany and many other beautiful places. She was a loving grandmother to three; Matthew Schmidt, Mark Schmidt and Sarah Hopper who loved her dearly. When Gertrude was again widowed in 2003, she soon moved to Heather Gardens for 5 years and then to Lowry Park Assisted Living where she was blessed to be reunited again with her sisters Paula and Florence. They were very happy there. Both Paula and Florence passed on within this past year. For certain, Gertrude loved God and lived by his word and walked in his ways all throughout her life. For certain, she is at peace with him now.